All Police Appeals on the Missing List

The Serious Organised Crime Agency, in partnership with the PSNI, An Garda Siochana, Dyfed Powys Police and UK Border Agency, has disrupted and dismantled an organised crime gang who were trafficking women into the UK and Ireland for prostitution.

The women were being trafficked from Brazil, Nigeria and Namibia.

This operation originated during Operation Pentameter 2, which is a UK wide operation into human trafficking.

The 24-year-old victim had been at home on Stanhope Road in Bowden at about 6.00pm on Saturday 29 November 2008 when three men burst into her house.

They forced the front door open and one of the men, armed with a knife, held the weapon to her throat demanding valuables.

There were two young children in the house at the time, and another man.

They were all forced into a downstairs room while the men made the woman search the house upstairs.

Shortly after 11.20am on Friday 28 November 2008, a man on a pedal cycle wearing a motorbike helmet went into Black Lane Post Office in Radcliffe and demanded cash at gunpoint.

The offender, who is described as white and in his mid 20s, escaped on his bike with a large amount of cash.

It's thought the offender may have got into a white van on Leander Close, near to Salisbury Road.

At about 9pm on Friday 28 November 2008, the 34-year-old victim was walking along Errwood Road towards Arliss Avenue when he was passed by three men.

One of the gang shouted: "What are you looking at?" and then pulled a black pistol from his coat.

He pointed it at the victim and threatened to shoot him in the head and then the leg.

The other two men then encouraged the gunman to flee the scene and all three made off towards Claire Road. The victim then called the police.

A veterinary worker was held at knifepoint during a raid at a surgery in Altrincham.

The robbery happened at the Clarendon Veterinary Surgery on Clarendon Avenue at about 5.30pm on Friday 21 November 2008.

Two masked offenders went into the vets and threatened the receptionist at knifepoint.

Frightened, she opened the till and gave one of the men some cash.

Police are hunting a robber who threatened staff at a bookies with a machete.

Shortly before 8.30pm on Wednesday 26 November 2008 a man entered Ladbrokes on Leigh Road, Leigh, armed with a ten-inch machete.

He demanded cash from the till, stole a quantity of cash and left the shop.

The staff member was unhurt but left shocked by his ordeal.

The offender is described as white, about 18 or 19-years-old, roughly 5ft 6in tall, of small build.

Grampian Police are investigating a theft on the Netherley Road area of Maryculter, Aberdeen.  

The incident occurred between 5 pm on Wednesday 26 November and 8 am on Thursday 27 November 2008.  

As a result of the incident, a quantity of equipment, including drills, a laser level, power saw and a nail gun, with a combined valued of a low four figure sum being stolen. 

A14 Wherstead between 12pm 30/11/08 and 11.55am 01/12/08.  

A green Vauxhall Astra, registration N451OBB has been stolen after breaking down on the slip road.  

Calls in relation to this incident should be made to PC Wayne Souza at Capel Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Shimpling Street, Bury St Edmunds, between 10pm 01/12/08 and 4.50am 02/12/08.  

Offenders have broken into a farmyard and stolen diesel from three lorries and a storage tank.  

Calls in relation to this incident should be made to PC Melvyn Hayward at Sudbury Police on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Pond Hall Road, Hadleigh between 12.45am and 7.30am 02/12/08.  

Offenders have broken into a blue Ford Ka which had been left at the side of the road following a road traffic collision, and stolen perfume and aftershave, wine, make-up and a throw.  

Calls in relation to this incident should be made to PC Charlotte Broughton at Capel Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Over 400 plants have been recovered from a cannabis factory at a property in Cavenham.  

Police were alerted to the factory by the landlord of the property on The Street and entered it yesterday, seizing plants and hydroponic equipment.  

Inquiries are continuing. Forest Heath District Commander, Acting Chief Inspector Derek Wilding, says:  

Station Road, Barnham between 5pm 01/12/08 and 9am 02/12/08. Offenders have broken into an industrial unit and stolen an overhead projector.  

Calls in relation to this incident should be made to PC Alan Soames at Bury St Edmunds Police on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Haycocks Road, Haverhill at around 4.25pm 02/12/08.

A man has taken a box of beer from a supermarket without paying.  

He is described as white, 5 foot 8 inches tall, with short brown receding hair and was wearing blue jeans, white trainers and a blue and grey jacket.  

He left in a white van with a chequered bonnet and an amber light on top.  

On the 3rd December 2008 An Garda Síochána in cooperation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, S.O.C.A. Dyfed Ponys, Police Wales and the United Kingdom Border Agency carried out a number of searches in relation to the activities of an organised crime gang suspected of involvement in prostitution and suspected trafficking of human beings for sexual exploitation.

A total of nine brothels were searched throughout this jurisdiction in Cavan, Drogheda, Athlone, Mullingar, Sligo, Kilkenny, Enniscorthy, Newbridge, and Waterford.

The incident happened at around 1.30am on Sunday November 23, 2008 as the victim and his girlfriend were walking along Manor Road towards Knighton Grange Road.

As they approached the junction with Stoughton Drive South, they became aware of three men standing on the corner of the road.

As they passed them continuing onto Stoughton Drive South, one of the men asked the victim for a cigarette.

The victim said he didn't smoke and carried on walking but the man kept attempting to talk to the victim.